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UT Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs Commit to Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree

Program Brochure

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Welcome to the UT Associate’s to Bachelor’s ProgramThank you for your interest in the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs, the online bachelor’s degree completion program through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Our program is designed to be a pathway to a bachelor’s degree for adult learners who have already earned their associate’s from a Tennessee Board of Regents Community college. Our 100% online program is designed around one core goal: we are committed to helping you go further in your education and career.

Courses are flexibly paced, and faculty and staff will empower you in a collaborative, online learning environment. Our online program pairs synchronous coursework led by UT faculty with asynchronous course

content you can complete on your own time. As a UT Associate’s to Bachelor’s (UT A to B) student, you will take courses grounded in hands-on learning experiences that challenge and expand your problem solving, communication, and critical thinking skills. In an average of just 60 credit hours, you will graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Your hard work and commitment will lead to your name on a well-earned diploma and the conviction to achieve your professional goals.

Are you ready to commit to completing your bachelor’s degree? Read on to learn more about our guiding core values, thoughtful program curriculum, interactive online experience and about how pursuing the UT A to B program can move you forward.

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Program StructureThe UT A to B program pairs the power of world-class instruction with the accessibility of an online learning format.

Our online program brings a new level of flexibility into achieving your bachelor’s degree so that you can earn the credits you need without putting commitments like work and family on hold.

Your online degree features a blend of synchronous and asynchronous classroom content. Live lecture sessions will take place weekday afternoons and evenings, and offer you the chance to connect with your professors and classmates, ask questions, and take a deep dive into course content. Virtual courses are supported by independent readings, assignments, and video modules that you will complete throughout the week on your own time.

Transform your associate’s to a bachelor’s degree with our online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs. As a UT A to B student, you have the option to choose between two concentrations for your bachelor’s degree: Public Policy & Administration or Cultures & Societies:

Public Policy & AdministrationOur Public Policy & Administration track prepares students for careers in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Your curriculum will cover areas of interest including policy analysis, research methods, non-profit management, and more.

Course options include classes like:

• Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy

• Political Change in Developing Areas

• International Political Economy

Cultures & Societies

Our Cultures & Societies concentration focuses on understanding connections between people and identity. Explore diverse perspectives and areas of study including comparative studies, people and the environment, anthropology, and more.

Course options include classes like:

• Ecology and Society

• Popular Culture and American Politics

• Sociological Theory

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Program Quick Facts

Average of 60 credits to graduate

Now accepting applications

Programs start in fall, spring and summer

Application Requirements• Students need to have earned

an AA, AS, AFA and/or AST from a Tennessee Board of Regents Community college.

• Undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher

• Official Transcripts- from all post-secondary institutions (including transfer credits appearing on degree-earned transcript.)

• $50 Application Fee

Program EligibilityReady to become a Vol? In order to be eligible to enroll in UT A to B, applicants need to have earned an AA, AS, AFA and/or AST degree from one of these eligible schools.

1. Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga

2. Cleveland State Community College, Cleveland

3. Columbia State Community College, Columbia

4. Dyersburg State Community College, Dyersburg

5. Jackson State Community College, Jackson

6. Motlow State Community College, Tullahoma

7. Nashville State Community College, Nashville

8. Northeast State Community College, Blountville

9. Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville

10. Roane State Community College, Harriman

11. Southwest Tennessee Community College, Memphis

12. Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin

13. Walters State Community College, Morristown

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Median Career Earnings by Educational AttainmentAccording to Brooking’s, the $80,000

typical bachelor’s degree holder earns approximately $68,000 at career peak (year 30) compared to $60,000

associate’s degree graduates who earn approximately $49,000 annually at career peak. $40,000

Additionally, the Center for Career Development can help connect

$20,000

you to resources, internships, jobs, and the UT global network of over 250,000 alumni, across all 50 states

$0and in over 100 countries. Associate’s Bachelor’s

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Career OutcomesReturn to school with confidence. Take a look at the average financial return and increased employment opportunities when you complete your bachelor’s degree:

40%On average, bachelor’s degree holders earn 40% more than associate’s degree holders each year. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

4.0%January 2021 unemployment rate for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 6.2% for those with some college or associate’s degrees. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

80%More than 80% of UT graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of finishing their degree.

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UT A to B’s curriculum and structure are built in alignment with the University’s core values:

Seeking KnowledgeThe Volunteer spirit is intelligent, curious, and honors freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas. With 360+ undergraduate degree options and honors programs, including UT A to B, our focus on research and service-learning will prepare you for what comes after college.

Advancing Diversity & InclusionThe Volunteer community encompasses faculty, staff, students, and alumni of different cultures and backgrounds. We will work with the co-directors of the Critical Race Collective (CRC) with the goal of developing it into a center to further enhance research and scholarship capacity.

Embracing Responsible Stewardship of ResourcesSustainability of resources, whether financial, infrastructural, or environmental, is key to a healthy institution. We take pride in our role as part of the state’s flagship land-grant university and our responsibility to mitigate the social impacts of climate change.

Leading with Innovation & IntegrityVolunteers value character and integrity. The best leaders foster ethical and professional behavior such as open dialogue, transparency, and accountability within their groups. More than 80% of UT graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of finishing their degree.

Engaging Locally & GloballyVolunteers get involved. Whether acting within our local and extended communities or embracing global challenges, the UT community strives to make a difference. That’s what it means to become part of the Big Orange Nation.

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Meet our FacultyAs an interdisciplinary program, faculty from across UT Knoxville are involved in giving you the opportunity to create a program of study that aligns with your interests and goals. Some professors contributing to UT A to B include:

Harry F. Dahms Professor, Department of Sociology

Specialties Theory, Political Economy, Sociology and Science Fiction, Comparative Sociology

Reema HabibLecturer,Department of Classics

SpecialtiesGreek and Roman Art & Archaeology, Ancient Magic & Apotropaia, Greek & Roman Religion in Art

Sally Harris Distinguished Lecturer, Department of English

Specialties Workplace Writing, Technical Writing, British Literature, Detective Literature, and Drama

Hannah Herrero Assistant Professor, Department of Geography

Specialties Remote Sensing, Human-Environment Interactions, Conservation, Savanna Science, Africa, Land Change Science, Physical Geography

Aleydis Van De Moortel Head Department of Classics

Specialties Aegean Prehistory, Minoan Pottery, Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean

Yang Zhong Professor, Department of Political Science

Specialties Comparative Politics (China and East Asia; Political Development)

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Financing Your ProgramCollege is a big investment. If you’re ready to invest in yourself, we are ready to invest in your future! More than 85 percent of UT students receive financial aid and scholarships from federal, state, and private sources. There are a number of different resources you can use to help cover the cost of your degree.

Financial AidThe majority of UT A to B students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help cover the cost of tuition. Learn more about the FAFSA, review deadlines, and start the application here.

ScholarshipsUnlike loans, scholarships are financial awards to help cover the cost of tuition that students do not need to repay. Each year, UT offers a variety of merit-based scholarships. Explore our current scholarship offerings, upcoming deadlines, and best practices here.

Veterans BenefitsVeterans may be eligible for educational benefits through numerous GI Bill programs. Eligibility is determined solely by the VA. Visit the VA website (benefits.va.gov/gibill) or call the VA Education Hotline/Call Center at 1.888.442.4551 to inquire about benefits.

Contact UsReady to take the next step in completing your bachelor’s degree and enroll in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs?

Reach out to our enrollment team at completeonline@utk.edu or (865) 381-9765 for a one-on-one consultation to discuss admissions requirements, financial aid and more.

Start Your Application